Toyota recently unveiled a concept for an all-electric SUV. The new concept comes with plant-based seats and AI-based “personal” assistants to expand its electric car portfolio under the Beyond Zero (bZ) series.
The bZ compact crossover concept, announced at the Los Angeles Auto Show, is meant to showcase Toyota’s vision for a battery-electric future. The company plans to launch 30 fully electric vehicles, including five of them under the bZ series.
Toyota says the sleek bZ concept pushes the wheels into corners for an aggressive feel, making it appear to move when parked. The silhouette features short overhangs, a sweepback angle and a “narrowed cabin design” to create a futuristic look, according to the automaker.
Meanwhile on the inside, the seats are made from plant-based and recycled materials and the semi-circular steering wheel looks like the top has been cut off. Yui, the name of the AI-based personal assistant, responds to requests from front or rear passengers using sounds and lights that “move around the cabin”.
There is no information yet on when the new electric car concept will be launched, but the company says “in the near future. For your information, Toyota’s main goal is to become a carbon-free company by 2050.
Apart from the bZ concept, Toyota also introduced the Toyota Prius 2023 hybrid car at the same automotive event. Last year, this Japanese automaker launched the bZ brand, namely the Toyota bZ4X. The vehicle, which is nearly identical to the Subaru Solterra, hit the market earlier this year.
